Peter Anthony Nicholson

M, b. 5 February 1923, d. October 2001

Peter Anthony Nicholson

Reference

529

Last Edited

12 Jun 2018

Peter AnthonyNicholson was born on 5 February 1923 in Godalming, Surrey, England. He married Geraldine BettyCain, daughter of Harold NewmanCain and Hilda RosePrest, on 7 June 1947 in St John the Baptist, Wonersh, Surrey, England, after the banns had been read. The ceremony was witnessed by H N Cain and Natalie Nicholson. Peter was the General Manager of an import/export firm living in Compton, his father Reginald Nicholson was deceased but had retired. Geraldine's father Harold Newman Cain was a manufacturer. They had a big wedding with about 150-200 people, they could not all get in the Church. Betty was driven to the church by Frank, known as Ido Nash the local taxi driver who had a wonderful old car. Betty met Peter through her brother Nigel. They were in the same squadron and Nigel brought him home occasionally.1,2,3 Peter and Betty set up home in Meadow Bank, Shamley Green after they married until 1953.4 After the war Peter joined a firm that made Christmas decoratons and lights. Then he joined his father in law's firm and was responsible for the Belfast Factory where they made academic gowns. Sadly the troubles in Ireland forced the factory to close.2 Peter and Betty moved into Northcote Farm 1956-9.4 Peter and Betty were living in 1961-2 into Chinthurst Cottage in Chinthurst Lane.4 Peter and Betty moved into New Barn in 1981.4 He died in October 2001 in Chichester, Sussex, England, at age 78.5

Harold NewmanCain was born on 19 June 1896 in Ilford, Essex, England.1,2 He was the son of Ernest HarryCain and Ada EleanorNewman.1 He was the son of Ernest HarryCain and Ada EleanorCain in the 1901 census in 36 Toronto Road, Ilford, Essex, England.3 Ernest and Ada and their sons Harold and Douglas were recorded on the electoral rolls as living in Lindhurst in Chobham, Surrey. Ada Ernest and Douglas were still there in 1922. Harold had moved out and was married.4 He married Hilda RosePrest, daughter of Stanley FaberPrest and Emily CharlotteJullion, in 1921 in Bromley, Kent, England.5 Harold and Hilda took their two children Nigel and Geraldine to Wonersh. Harold and Hilda are listed on electoral rolls as living in New Barn, Wonersh in 1927 to 1945. It is understood when they moved there the house was called The Elms and they changed it to New Barn.4 On 29 September 1939 in the National Register Harold was listed as living at New Barn, Wonersh Common, Wonersh, Surrey, England with his wife Hilda. Harold was a Handkerchief and Scarf Manufacturer living with his wife.6 Harold and Hilda were still living in 1945 in New Barn. Their newly widowed daughter in law was living with them.7 Harold and Hilda moved in 1945 with their daughter to live in Northcote Farm in Shamley Green until at least 1959.8 Harold travelled on board 'Queen Elizabeth' to New York leaving Southampton on 31 October 1947. He was listed as a manufacturer, born in Ilford and living in Guildford.9 Harold and Hilda boarded 'Rangitoto' in London on 3 January 1950 bound for Wellington New Zealand. Harold was a Company Director of J A S Ridley Cain and Son 54 New Broad Street EC2. They travelled in Class One.10 He died in 1983 in Wonersh, Surrey, England.11 The funeral of Harold Newman Cain took place on 9 February 1983 in St John the Baptist, Wonersh, Surrey, England.12

Nigel Harold Cain

M, b. 1922, d. 22 December 1943

Nigel Harold Cain

Reference

532

Last Edited

8 May 2018

Nigel HaroldCain was born in 1922 in Bromley, Kent, England.1 He was the son of Harold NewmanCain and Hilda RosePrest. Harold and Hilda took their two children Nigel and Geraldine to Wonersh. Nigel had been educated at Bradfield College and volunteered shortly after the outbreak of war to join the airforce. He was with the first British Airforce cadets that went to America to learn to fly. He learned in Alabama, but then went to Canada to complete his training.2,3 He married Joy LouisaTaplin in Alabama, USA, Nigel and Joy moved to England and made their home in New Barn, Wonersh with Nigel's parents.4,2 Nigel and James R Mace, son of Mr and Mrs Arthur C Mace of Portsmouth Road in Guildford were members of the 7th Aviation Cadet Class who graduated from the Advanced Flying School, Craig Field, Selma in Alabama and were awarded their diplomas and U.S. Army Air Corps and R.A.F. “wings” insignia by Lieut.-Colonel Julian B. Haddon. post commander, at a brief graduation ceremony. Cadets Mace and Cain specialized in fighter training, and included in their course of instruction were aerial and ground gunnery, tactical and combat formations, and high altitude missions.5 He died on 22 December 1943 Nigel was a Flying Officer in RAF Volunteer Reserve 129 Squadron. This Squadron was a fighter squadron equipped with Spitfires that had moved to the Orkneys to provide local air defence between September 1942 and February 1943. The squadron then returned to the south coast to resume an escort role. Anti-shipping strikes were also carried out at this time. In June 1943 the squadron had become one of the founding members of Second Tactical Air Force, the British contribution to the massive Allied air fleets created to support the D-Day landings.4 He was buried in Dieppe Canadian War Cemeteries, Hautot-sur-Mer, France.4 Flying Officer Nigel Harold Cain RAF was reported missing from air operations in an article in the Surrey Advertiser of 8 January 1944.6 Sadly Nigel was never to see his son who was born on 2 May 1944.7 His estate was probated on 19 September 1944 in New Barn, The Street, Wonersh, Surrey, England, in Llandudno to National Provincial Bank. His address was New Barn in Wonersh and his estate was valued at £653 8s 8d.8 Nigel's name appears on the roll of honour in St John the Baptist Church in Wonersh and Shamley Green War Memorial.7

Kenneth Josling Gillespie

M, b. 24 July 1922, d. 30 April 1998

Reference

548

Last Edited

14 Feb 2018

Kenneth JoslingGillespie was born on 24 July 1922. Kenneth or Jock as he was affectionately known served for five years in WW1 in the Royal Artillery including landing in France on D Day. He then joined his father's firm of Chartered Accountants. After semi retirement he worked for RADA. He was President and Treasurer for the Bowls Club.1 Kenneth and Elizabeth got engaged in 1945 when Kenneth came home from the war. They first met at a tennis party in Esher.2 He married Elizabeth FlorenceRees, daughter of Percy MontagueRees and BeatriceTilley, on 4 December 1948 in St John the Baptist, Wonersh, Surrey, England, after the banns had been read. The ceremony was witnessed by their fathers PM Rees and W E Gillespie. Kenneth was an articled clerk to a Chartered Accountant. Both Kenneth and Elizabeth's father were also Chartered Accountants. Elizabeth was taken to her wedding by the local taxi driver Frank Nash. He took the couple to the Dorchester Hotel for a nights stay before they took their honeymoon in Switzerland.3,4 Kenneth and Elizabeth lived in The Barn in Wonersh in 1951-7. Converted by her father It was originally a barn in the Dower House grounds.5 Kenneth was a church warden at St John the Baptist in Wonersh.6 He died on 30 April 1998 in Surrey, England, at age 75 after a morning's gardening. He had suffered from TB in early life which may had contributed to his early and sudden death.7,1 A plaque was placed on a bench situated around Wonersh Bowling Green, stating he loved Wonersh Bowls Club.8

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